Various Views on Hell
There are several views on hell, as follows:
- Traditional view: Permanent suffering, punishment or torment, without end.
- Conditional view: annihilationism or conditional immortality – punishment with annihilation, and hence ceasing to exist. This divides into two:
- Annihilation or ceasing to exist immediately upon death
- There is a temporary period of suffering, punishment or torment proportional to the sin the person has committed in life, but then they will be annihilated or cease to exist.
- Universalist view: universal reconciliation – everyone will be saved (they have no choice). This divides into the following two views:
- There is no hell; everyone is saved immediately they die.
- Hell is a place of refinement or purification, and everyone will eventually be purified and saved.
- Hopeful universalist view – there is a hope that all will be saved; hell exists but everyone has a chance to be saved after they die; they can leave hell and enter into eternal life any time they choose.
We will now discuss what the Bible says about hell and then conclude which of these four views we believe.
Future Judgment and Condemnation for the Ungodly
In John 12:47 Jesus said he “came to save the world not to judge the world.” That was his mission on earth at that time. But that does not mean the Father does not judge the world, and does not mean there isn’t a future judgment.
In John 12:31 Jesus said “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” Renowned grace preacher Andrew Wommack believes in a future judgment of the world, when he explains John 12:31- see http://www.awmi.net/bible/joh_12_31. I really like his explanation here. Because of course there is a lake of fire – the ultimate revelation of the wrath of God – Rev 20:15. The whole context of scripture clearly shows that the wrath of God is coming on the world in the future. But thank God he sent Jesus to provide a way for us to have eternal life and thus avoid the wrath of God. It is all because of Him that those who believe on Him are not condemned, do not perish but have eternal life. What a wonderful Saviour and such a simple gospel!
The most commonly used Greek word in the NT for judgment is krisis. This means a separating or decision, but sometimes mean condemnation (or possibly destruction), eg:
Mt 23:33 “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”
John 5:29 “And shall come forth they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
James 5:12 12 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Heb 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
There are other examples too.
The other main word translated judgment, krima, is the sentence pronounced, the verdict and most definitely includes condemnation eg:
Rom 2:2 “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”
Rom 2:5 “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.”
Jude 1:4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
So although judgment does not always mean destruction (or condemnation) it can mean that.
God judges and condemns the unbelievers:
Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (katakrino).”
John 3:18 “He that believes on him is not condemned (krino): but he that believes not is condemned (krino) already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Rom 2:16 “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
Rom.11:22 “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
2 Tim 4:1 “I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge (krino) the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.”
1 Peter 1:17 “And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges (krino) according to every man’s work, pass the time of your exile here in fear.”
These are just a small selection of scriptures that prove that there is a future judgment and condemnation for unbelievers. The idea that God judged the world once and that there is no more judgment is just a Christian universalist idea.
Anger and wrath
There are many statements in scripture regarding God’s anger and wrath at sin and the wicked. None of these verses suggest people can escape this wrath or somehow be saved from this wrath after death. The only way to avoid it that we are aware of in scripture, is to believe in Jesus now, before we die.
John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Rom 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
Rom 5:9 “Therefore much more, having been justified now by His blood, we will be saved by Him from wrath!”
Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
Rev 14:9 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 He also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
Rev 19:15 “And out of his mouth goes forth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Ex 32:10 “Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may grow hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of you a great nation.”
Deut 9:8 “Also in Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.”
Psalm 2:12 “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 7:11 “God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.”
Proverbs 11:4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Wrath, judgment, indignation, tribulation, anguish
These verses speak of God’s wrath, his righteous judgment, indignation, tribulation and anguish:
Romans 2:5-9 “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.”
Punishment
There are a number of Greek words translated punished, punishment or vengeance in the New Testament. The meanings of these are taken from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, E W Bulliger’s Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament and Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament:
Nouns:
- Kolasis (Strong’s 2851): Pruning, punishment, penal infliction
- Timoria (Strong’s 5098): Redressing of injuries, avengement, vindication that is (by implication) a penalty, punishment
- Dike (Strong’s 1349): Right, justice, execution of a sentence, punishment, vengeance
- Ekdikesis (Strong’s 1557): Execution of right and justice, retribution, vengeance, punishment
Verb:
- Kolazo (Strong’s 2849): Curtail, prune, dock, chastise, reserve for infliction, punish
- Tino (Strong’s 5099): Redress injuries, avenge, pay a price that is as a penalty, punish
Punishment will come to those who do not know God and reject Jesus, and we have not found anywhere in scripture that indicates any escaping from it, only to believe in Jesus now, before the body dies.
Mt 25:46 “And they shall go away into eternal punishment (2851), but the righteous into eternal life.” Note that the same word eternal is used for punishment as is used for life. Since we know eternal life is for ever, it follows that punishment could be for ever, or its consequences are for ever.
2 Thess 1: 6 “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance (1557) on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished (5099, 1349) with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”
2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished (2849): 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, ….. 17 ….to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”
Heb 10:26-29 26 ”For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 29 Of how much sorer punishment (5098), suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
Jude 4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance (1349) of eternal fire.”
Tormented with fire
Those who are ungodly will be burned and tormented with fire. There is no suggestion anywhere in scripture that we are aware of that there is any escape from this, and it appears from scripture that the only way to avoid it is to turn to Jesus now before the body dies:
Mt 3: 10 “Every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire”
Mt 3:12, Luke 3:17 “he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Mt 13:42 “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Luke 16:22-28 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell (hades) he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”
2 Thess 1: 6 “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:.“
Heb 6: 4 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.”
2 Peter 3:7 “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
Jude 4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
Rev 14:9 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
Rev 18:2 “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen…. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 8…and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.”
Rev 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Rev 20:13-14 “13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (hades) delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell (hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
Rev 21: 8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Other consequences of sin
There are other very definite consequences for doing evil and rejecting the gospel:
2 Cor 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
Col 3: 24 “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
Heb 2: 1 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”
1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
Destruction
The end of the enemies of the cross of Christ is destruction (also called perdition). The Greek word this is translated from is normally apolia (Strong’s 684) and does not mean extinct but means rendered useless, ruined, put out of the way, loss – not loss of being but loss of well-being. The verb of that word is apollumi (Strong’s 622). The only other word used in the list below is olethros (Strong’s 3639), meaning ruin or destruction.
Again, we are mot aware of any scripture that mentions any escape from this. That is why we are to believe on Jesus now (John 3:16). Now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2).
Matt 10:28, Luke 12:5 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy (622) both soul and body in hell (gehenna).”
Luke 13:3 “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (622).”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish (622), but have everlasting life..
Phil 3:18 “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction (684), whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
1 Thess 5:2 “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction (3639) cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
2 Thess 1: 6 “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction (3639) from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”
2 Peter 3:7 “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition (684) of ungodly men.”
Jude 4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed (622) them that believed not.”
Deut 9:8 “Also in Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.”
Devoured
Those who wilfully sin will be devoured or consumed:
Heb 10:26-29 26 ”For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Exodus 15:7 “And in the greatness of your excellency you have overthrown them that rose up against you: you sent forth your wrath, which consumed them as stubble.”
Death
Those who do not repent or believe in Jesus will die. The Greek word for death is thanatos (Strong’s 2288) and, as well as meaning separation of the soul and spirit from the body, means separation of man from God, and is conscious existence in separation from God (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).
John 8:24 “for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Rom 1:29 “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers…. 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Rev 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Cut off
Those who reject the goodness of God will be cut off:
Rom.11:22 “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
Darkness
The ungodly are reserved for blackness of darkness:
Jude 4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”
Mt 8:12 “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Mt 22:13 “Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Escape from Hell into Heaven?
We recognise that sinners may eventually be burnt up in the fires of hell (Malachi 4:1). But there is a just punishment after death which includes torment and punishment (Mt 8:12, 13:42, 22:13, 25:46, Rom 2:8, 2 Peter 2:9, Jude 15, 2 Thess 1:9, Heb 10:29, Rev 14:11). This fire and punishment is said to everlasting in Mt 25:41, 46, however there is debate as to whether the word “everlasting” means a period of time or an infinite amount of time; what is clear is that it is also applied to God and life, which clearly last for ever, so can definitely mean for ever without end. What believe there is no evidence from the Bible that everyone will eventually be saved. Jesus never said people would be tormented and punished and then eventually saved. Paul speaks of a judgement according to works in 2 Cor 5:10 with no escape mentioned. In Revelation 21:27 and 22:15, those who do wickedly are not permitted to enter the holy city, with no mention that such people will ever be saved.
The Bible teaches that the Lake of Fire is judgement, vengeance and punishment (or reward) for sin and sinners (2 Thess 1:8-9, 2 Cor 5:10), and God does not allow sin in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:27). I have heard of occasions where God has shown believers Hades, then taken them to Heaven. However, Hades, the new Testament equivalent of Sheol, is separate from Abraham’s bosom where the righteous are and for everyone else there is no movement between the two (Lk 16:26), so there is separation between the saints and sinners after death and generally there is no movement between the two. We are not aware of anywhere in the Bible that says anything about anyone who is in hell after death being able to subsequently go to heaven. In Rev. 21:27 it is stated that “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” The scripture therefore appears very clear that sinners will not be allowed into the New Jerusalem and we are unaware of anything in the Bible that says that sinners who die rejecting Christ have an opportunity to be saved after they die.
What about Gehenna and Hades (or Sheol)?
There are two main words used in the New Testament that are translated Hell, Gehenna and Hades.
Gehenna – for an explanation, see here http://www.chick.com/ask/articles/gehenna.asp. It refers to a rubbish dump outside Jerusalem where anything in it was burned up. It is sometimes, but not always used as a metaphor for a future place of destruction for the wicked, for example in Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:5 and Matthew 23:33.
Sheol is a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament to describe the place where the bodies of both righteous and unrighteous went when they died and is simply the grave, as explained here. The Greek equivalent in the New Testament is Hades. It is used once to refer to a place of torment in Luke 16:23.
Neither of these words can be used as a complete basis for the Biblical doctrine of hell, despite them being the only words in the Bible translated “hell.” But we have already seen that hell is very graphically described in the Bible by words such as wrath, condemnation, punishment, torment and destruction (ruin).
Serious harmful consequences of Christian Universalism
There are numerous seriously harmful consequences of this Christian Universalist restorative hell idea in our view:
1. As I have shown above, it appears to be serious error that contradicts scripture in many ways.
2. Several people I know who have embraced this “no hell” or “hell is restorative” teaching have gone away from Jesus or into serious compromise.
3. Logically and in practice it does away with evangelism (why tell people about Jesus if hell restores everyone anyway?)
4. Logically and in practice it does away with righteous living (why live a righteous life if eveyone in hell becomes righteous anyway?).
5. It has destroyed many churches – three Partners in Harvest churches in the UK in particular, and I am sure many other around the world.
6. It causes huge division in most of the places I have seen it is taught.
7. The words several people have said to me in support of this doctrine contain misrepresentations and false accusations and thus it appears to me to be against the culture of honour.
Conclusion
There is nothing I am aware of in the Bible about hell purifying or restoring anyone, and the above discussion shows that hell is torment, it punishes and destroys, so I believe the universalist view of hell defined above is error.
So we can see that the Bible teaches hell. It teaches that there is judgment, the terror of God, punishment/vengeance, condemnation, the wrath of God, fire, torment, perishing, perdition, death, darkness and destruction for the ungodly who do evil, keep on sinning, do not obey the gospel and who do not believe on Jesus. Judgment begins at the house of God and the righteous are scarcely saved. Nowhere in the Bible are we aware of that says that everyone will be saved.
In Hebrews 6:4 it is stated that there is punishment for every transgression and sin and those who neglect salvation will not escape. Those who fall away after tasting God are rejected, cursed and burned.
Jude says that ungodly people who deny Jesus Christ are ordained to condemnation and destruction in eternal fire and blackness of darkness for ever, and will be judged.
In Revelation, those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark will experience the wine of God’s wrath, be tormented with fire and brimstone and have no rest. Bablyon will be judged and punished by fire and torment for her works The beast, false prophet and sinners are cast in the lake of fire and brimstone and tormented for many ages.
The Bible says “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15). The Lake of Fire is judgement, vengeance and punishment (sometimes termed “reward”) for sin and sinners (Rom 2:5-11, 2 Thess 1:8-9, 2 Cor 5:10). So the Bible teaches the “traditional view” discussed above.
We also recommend this article which presents a case for the conditional view of hell, which also has some support from scripture, alongside the traditional view of hell being torment and punishment: http://www.wholereason.com/2014/05/series-the-philosophic-case-for-conditionalism.html
We give thanks to the Lord that if we believe we will be saved and have eternal life and do not come into judgment and condemnation, as can be seen from these verses:
John 5:24: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that whoever believes on him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will besaved.
Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptised will be saved: but he who does not believe will be condemned.
What a wonderful gospel of salvation. It is truly good news.
Under “What about Gehenna and Hades (or Sheol)?” you have ‘we has’ instead of ‘we have’. These scriptures are all in agreement with what I believe about Ultimate Universal Reconciliation, but I would seriously question the use of the word ‘everlasting’, ‘destroy’, and ‘destruction’ in the translation you have used concerning the lake of fire. No doubt we can discuss more one day?